There are a lot of videos of snowkiters at Jackson Hole, Wyoming getting some serious hang time and basically using their kites a lot like paragliders. (Like this one: http://vimeo.com/83399030) But I just can't help but wonder if that's such a good idea - if anything breaks they are in serious trouble. Trees, rocks, and ice are a lot harder than water.

I know the chance of a line, chicken loop, harness failure or canopy rip are small. But is that chance small enough to risk such a deadly fall? I can't imagine trusting my life to the tiny little metal loop that attaches my chicken loop to the QR mechanism. And then there was that time my canopy unexpectedly ripped apart...

What do you guys think? Is the high (literal and figurative) worth the risk? Or is it just a matter of time before one of these guys gets killed? This looks a lot like BASE jumping or wingsuit flying to me - super rad, but way too risky. Sure looks like fun though...

I always wonder why so little happens. I had so many things breaking on me, plus I read all those accidents and failures on here...I will not go snowkiting! Respect to those guys who go flying big...you got balls! And lots of luck!

I believe it can be done relatively safely. In the beginning of my gliding career I flew pretty high off the ground but have learned a different style that keeps me close to the ground. Do you think the forward glide in this video is dangerous?

I think it can be done safely, it's what i've been doing for 14 y now, but i learned slowly step after step.I fly with brand new kite, bar and lines every seasons.I check my gear (preflight check) line, connexion, attachment points etc ... every session.I Role my line every time i stop on the spot to avoid any possibility of somebody skiing on them.I take a really good care of my equipment.I'm attached directly to a climbing harness.I don't fly in any wind i test it first by riding where i'm going to fly to see if i like it or not, i also pick my spot.It still something dangerous to do for sure, but less than some riders doing some megaloops at 100 feet over flat water or piles of rocks.Flying with a kite is not a fashion if you think it's too dangerous then don't do it .Just my point of view.

Pal, the guy in the above video, is pretty much the best in the world when it comes to dynamic paragliding maneuvers. Comparatively he is looking a little dicey with his kite skills. After 15 years of paragliding I'm naturally trying to draw comparisons to kite flying/gliding. For me I think paragliding experience has NOT help me to progress with kite gliding at all. Anyone else have similar or different experience with paragliding vs kite gliding?

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